Wire displacing and stripping method

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for stripping sheathing from longitudinally axially extending wire at controllable depth comprising a frame; a carriage on the frame linearly movable longitudinally; wire clamp structure on the carriage for sidewardly clamping the wire sheathing, at a location spaced from the end of the wire advanced past the clamp structure, the clamp structure movable longitudinally by the carriage; a rotating spindle on the frame and blade structure on the spindle and rotatable thereby to rotatably cut into the wire sheathing, the blade structure having cutting edges; structure to control the depth of cutting of the blade structure into the sheathing, and as the spindle rotates; and first drive structure operatively connected with the carriage to carry the wire to longitudinally selected positions at which the blade structure then cuts into the sheathing to controlled depth, the carriage being retractable so that a cut plug of the sheathing is pulled endwise off the wire.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/193,548 filed Feb. 8,1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,078 which is a continuation of Ser. No.07/884,928 filed May 18, 1992, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the stripping of sheathing orinsulation off wire or cable cores, at wire or cable ends; and morespecifically it concerns compact, automatically operable apparatus forcontrollably effecting the wire end stripping function, as well as beingoperable with respect to wires and cables of different sizes.

Manual, or manually controlled, tool stripping of wire ends is timeconsuming and inaccurate, and commonly results in damage to the wirecore. The problem becomes acute as the diameter of the wire decreases,as extremely fine insulated wire is difficult to handle, as by grippingand the thickness of the insulation becomes so small that damage to thecore by gripping and/or stripping tools becomes almost unavoidable. Forexample, gripping clamps subject to arc-travel gripping movement byaxially movable conical devices can create wire control and handlingproblems, including insufficient gripping and inaccurate centering ofthe wire, and interference with means to effect blade movement towardthe insulation.

There is need for accurate, reliable, rugged, and compact strippingapparatus that is capable of rapidly and accurately stripping insulationoff wire ends of different diameters and sizes, without damage to thewire cores, as well as positive and accurate gripping and centering ofthe wire being stripped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a major object of the invention to provide apparatus and methodmeeting the above need.

Basically, the apparatus of the invention comprises, in combination:

a) a frame,

b) a carriage on the frame linearly movable longitudinally,

c) wire clamp means on the carriage for sidewardly clamping the wiresheathing, at a location spaced from the end of the wire advanced pastthe clamp means, the clamp means movable longitudinally by the carriage,

d) a rotating spindle on the frame and blade means on the spindle androtatable thereby to rotatably cut into the wire sheathing, the blademeans having V-shaped cutting edges,

e) means to control the depth of cutting of the blade means into thesheathing, and as the spindle rotates,

f) and first drive means operatively connected with the carriage tocarry the wire to longitudinally selected positions at which the blademeans then cuts into the sheathing to controlled depth, the carriagebeing retractable so that a cut plug of the sheathing is pulled endwiseoff the wire.

It is another object of the invention to provide the means forcontrolling the depth of cutting of the blade means to include pivotedarm means, an actuator for controllably pivoting the arm means, theblade means carried by the arm means, the arm means, spindle, andactuator carried by the frame.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide clamp means in theform of two clamp elements, and including a drive operatively connectedwith the elements to move them linearly toward and away from oneanother. Such clamp elements may advantageously comprise two headshaving parallel intermeshing plates defining opposed V-shaped jawsmovable relatively toward one another to increasingly enclose and clampthe wire.

It is another object to provide arm means in the form of two pivotedarms, two blades, and blade carriers for the respective blades, thecarriers pivotally supported by the two arms, facilitating accuratemovement of the blades toward and away from the wire, the pivoting ofthe two arms remaining at a fixed axial position. Such carrier pivotingmay be effected by yoke support of the carriers.

A further object includes the provision of the two blades with V-shapedcutting edges defining an apex, the apices of the two blades being inlateral alignment as the blades are moved oppositely toward the wire.Blade leads are typically carried by the two arms to lead the bladesduring their movement toward the wire.

Yet another object is to provide adjustment means for adjusting thepositions of the blades relative to the carriers. Such means may includefirst means for adjusting the positions of the blades toward and awayfrom the wire, and including blade holders and threaded membersrotatable on the carriers to displace the blade holders toward and awayfrom the wire. Also, the blades may have sideward tongue and grooveconnections with the blade holders, and the carriers may have removablestructure allowing quick access to the blades for removal from theholder.

An additional object is to provide lead means extending between thecarriers for radially leading the carriers and blades relatively towardone another in response to pivoting of the arms; and such lead means mayinclude pins extending between the two blade carriers and slidable inbores in the carriers.

Additionally, a microprocessor may be provided for operativelycontrolling the wire clamp means, the carriage first drive means, therotating spindle, and the means to control the depth of cutting of theblade means.

Further, the invention enables use of the wire clamp means to serve theadditional function of controllably displacing the wire or cable axiallyendwise, while the blades are prevented from axial movement endwise,whereby the blades may be precisely controlled and controlled in theirmovement toward and away from the wire, and also adjusted, if necessary,all for the purpose of obtaining more precise and accurate cutting andsevering of wire sheathing to selected and controlled depth or depths,and removal of unwanted sheathing slugs. The blades are self-leading intheir movement toward and away from the wire, and wire axial positioningis very simply achieved, using wide jaw or head clamp means.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as thedetails of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understoodfrom the following specification and drawings, in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of apparatus embodying theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a master control for the drives included in the FIG. 1apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing in 3(a)-3(d) of progressive V-bladecutting into wire sheathing;

FIGS. 4(a)-4(g) are schematic views showing wire axial displacement byclamp means, and associated cutter blade advancement and retractionrelative to wire sheathing;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the FIG. 5 apparatus;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing wire receptionby the apparatus of FIGS. 5 and 6, the V-blades pivoted to closedpositions;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view, partly in section, taken on lines 8--8of FIG. 6, showing wire clamping;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view on lines 9--9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged end view taken on lines 10--10 of FIG. 6 andshowing blade leading and blades in open position;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view taken on lines 11--11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged side elevation taken in section on lines 12--12of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a view like FIG. 10 showing the blades in closed position;

FIG. 14 is a section taken on lines 14--14 of FIG. 7 showing clamp drivemechanism; and

FIG. 15 is a section taken on lines 15--15 of FIG. 7 showing clamp drivemechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, and particularly as viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6, a frame 10includes a horizontal base plate 11, and upright transverse plates 13and 13a attached to the base. Guide rods 14 and 15 are fixed to plates13 and 13a to extend longitudinally, for supporting carriage 16 to movelongitudinally forwardly and rearwardly, as will be seen. Housing orshell 17, including sections 17a-17c, is carried by and extends over theframe and carriage. Microprocessor controls 18 are typically carried bythe housing cover 17c, as seen in FIG. 1. These controls are associatedwith microprocessor master control indicated at 19 in FIG. 2.

The wire or cable to be processed, seen at 20 in FIGS. 1 and 7, isadvanced endwise through an opening 21 in the end wall 22 of the housingsection 17b, as for example to a position as seen in FIG. 7. See alsoFIG. 4a. The wire end 20a is thereby brought into engagement with closedblade or blades 63 and 64, at which time controls 18 are activated tocause the wire or cable to be sidewardly clamped by clamp means 24 onthe frame, and at a clamping position spaced longitudinally endwise fromthe end 20a of the wire that has moved past the clamp means. See alsothe clamp means 24 in FIGS. 8 and 9. Note in FIGS. 3 and 8 the annularsheathing 20b about the wire metallic core 20c. The wire or cable maycomprise a coaxial cable, for example.

One form of clamp means 24 may include two clamp elements, for example,in the form of heads 30 and 31 which are relatively movable toward oneanother to increasingly enclose and clamp the wire, while also centeringit relative to a longitudinal axis 32, which is also the axis ofrotation of a rotary spindle to be described. The two heads 30 and 31,which are shown, have parallel, intermeshing plates defining opposed,laterally facing V-shaped jaws which center and grip the wire or cable,as the clamp jaws close upon the wire or cable. Thus, as seen in FIGS. 8and 9, the head 30 has parallel plates 30a with V-shaped jaw edges 30band 30c, the plates being laterally separated; and head 31 has parallelplates 31a, with V-shaped jaw edges 31b and 31c, those plates alsolaterally separated and meshing with plates 30a. Angled stops on theheads, as at 31d on head 31 are engageable by edges 30b on the otherhead, and limit closing of the jaws, such as when no wire is between thejaws. Thus, clamping effect down to the smallest wire size is readilyattainable.

The heads 30 and 31 are displaced laterally toward one another by twocrank arms 34 and 35 on which the heads are respectively carried, as vialost motion connections 36 and 37 allowing relative pivoting of theheads and arms and also allowing linear laterally opposite displacementof the heads. Such linearity is achieved by a lateral lead 38 havingparallel lateral lead shoulders 38a and 38b engageable with upper andlower lateral edges 30e and 30f, and 31e and 31f of the heads.

Connection 36 includes a pin 36a on the head 30 relatively movable ingenerally vertical slot 36b in the arm 34, as arm 34 rotates. See alsopin 37a on the head 31 movable in generally vertical slot 37b in the arm35, as arm 35 rotates. Note also vertical adjustability of lead 38, asby tongue and groove connections at 38e and 38f with the frame part 13b,and tightenable fasteners 38e' and 38f associated with the tongues.Thus, precise alignment of the V-shaped jaw apices with the wire axis isachieved, despite the lost motion connections; and inaccurate arc-travelof the V-shaped heads toward one another is avoided.

The drive also includes two longitudinal and parallel drive rods 40 and41 carried by sleeves 40d and 41d attached to the carriage 16, to rotaterelative thereto and in relatively opposite directions. Rod 40 isconnected at end 40a with the lower end of crank arm 34; and rod 41 isconnected at end 41a with the lower rod of crank arm 35, as seen in FIG.8. Referring to FIG. 15, the opposite end 41b of rod 41 is connectedwith a crank arm 43 driven in rotation by a motor or gear motor 44, viaa lost-motion tongue and groove connection seen at 45, the motor havingan eccentric 45a on its output shaft that travels in the groove 45b ofarm 43 to rotate that arm through a precisely controlled angle. Mastercontrol 19 has an output at 44a controlling the motor (forward andreverse).

Rod 41 is connected with rod 40 as via arms 46 and 47 rigidly connectedwith the rods, and a lost-motion tongue and groove connection 48 betweenthose arms, whereby a precision degree of counterclockwise rotation ofarm 46 and rod 40 imparts the same precision degree of clockwiserotation to arm 47 and rod 40. Note broken line rotated arm positions46a and 47a, and see also FIG. 14. Clamping force is exerted by themotor and is limited or controlled by the extent of electricalenergization of the motor, which is, in turn, controlled at 19, i.e.,being selectable by means at 19.

Clamp carriage 16 is movable longitudinally left and right on the rods14 and 15, and carries the clamp jaw drive 44, rods 40 and 41, and clampmeans 24. Note carriage support plates 50 and 51 slidable on rods 14 and15, and carrying 40, 41 and 44 in FIG. 6. The retracted position of 50appears at 50a. Bearings for the rods appear at 41f. Carriage positionmotor 55 is carried by the base 10, and drives a screw 56 havingthreaded engagement with a nut 57 (see FIG. 5) which is rigidly attachedto the carriage plate 57a, for moving the carriage 16 and the clampmeans 24 longitudinally horizontally, for accurately moving the wire 20longitudinally horizontally, to position the wire for cutting.

Motor 55 is connected at 59 to the master control 19, and a manualselector 18 at the master control enables precise selected andprogrammable positioning of the carriage 16, clamp means 24, and theclamped wire 20, via an encoder on the motor 55. The control may bedigital or analog.

Blades 63 and 64 are carried by a rotating spindle assembly 100 havingfixed longitudinal position relative to the base 10. Theblade-supporting structure may, for example, be carried by fixedvertical plates 70 and 71, attached, for example, to fixed guidesreferred to above. See FIG. 7.

In the example, the spindle includes a horizontal shaft 101 definingspin axis 32, which is coaxial with the wire, as determined by the clampmeans referred to above, no matter the size of the wire, due to theconstruction and operation of the clamp means. Shaft or axle 101 has oneend 110a thereof supported by a bearing 102 in a plate 71; and theopposite end 101b of the shaft is supported by a hub 103 for rotationwithin a bearing 104 in plate 70. The shaft is rotated by a drive thatincludes a motor 105 (seen in FIGS. 6 and 14), supported by frame plate71, a drive pulley 107 driven about a longitudinal axis by the motor, adriven pulley 108 on the spindle shaft 101, and a drive belt 109entraining the pulleys. Motor 105 is operated via connection 105a to themaster controller 19. The hub 103 pivotally mounts two longitudinallylengthwise extending arms 110 and 111, at pivot locations 112 and 113 onthe hub. The means to controllably pivot the arms 110 and 111 will bedescribed later. Blades or cutters 63 and 64 are carried at the ends110a and 111a of those arms to be moved generally radially toward oneanother as the shaft 101, hub 103, and arms 110 and 111 rotate aboutaxis 32.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 10-13, support means is provided at the ends ofthe arms 110 and 111 to support the blades for generally radialmovement, as referred to. See in this regard the two yoke units 200 and201 attached to the ends of the arms 110 and 111, respectively. Theyokes extend laterally and have pairs of legs 203 and 204, and 205 and206, and lateral pivots 207 and 208, and 209 and 210 carried by thelegs, as shown. The pivots support the upper and lower blade carriers211 and 212, which are free to pivot about the lateral axes 213 and 214defined by the lateral pivots. Pivot 207 also accommodates lateraladjustment shifting of the carriers 211 and 212 relative to the yokes,so that the blades 63 and 64 are exactly centered relative to thelongitudinal travel path of the wire, as transported by the clamp means.See in this regard the pivot members 207a and 209a, which are pivotallyattached to the carriers 211 and 212. Vernier shifting of shaft 209a iscontrolled by rotation of knob 311 on member 209a thread connected to212.

Provision is also made for relative adjustment shifting of the bladesgenerally radially, relative to the carriers. See in this regard thethreaded members 220 and 221 carried by the carriers and having ends220a and 221a rotated by an adjustment tool. See FIG. 12. As member 220is rotated at head 220a' in one direction, it radially advances a holder223 for blade 63 (with which it has threaded engagement at 220a) in adirection to move the blade 63 toward the wire relative to carrier 211;and as member 220 is rotated in the opposite direction, it radiallyretracts the holder 223 and blade 63 away from the wire. A spring 227 ina slot 228 in the carrier 211 urges the holder radially outwardly.

Similarly, as member 221, is rotated at head 221a' in one direction, itradially advances a holder 224 for blade 64 (with which it has threadedengagement at 221a) in a direction to move blade 64 toward the wire,relative to carrier 212; and as member 221 is rotated in the oppositedirection, it radially retracts the holder 224 and blade 64 away fromthe wire, relative to carrier 212. Spring 229, in a slot 230, in carrier212, urges the holder 224 radially outwardly. Lateral tongue and grooveconnections of the blades to the holders appear at 235 and 236, and areconfined within the carriers 211 and 212. Upon disassembly of thecarrier front plates 237 and 238, as by removal of fasteners 239 and239', quick access is gained to the blades for removal off the holdertongue and groove connections, and quick replacement, without disturbingthe blade holders, and other structure. This minimizes down time of theapparatus.

Accordingly, provision is made for precision adjustment of the blades,individually, relative to their carriers 211 and 212, and to oneanother, both laterally and radially, enhancing precision cutting of thewire sheathing, as in one or more radial steps, as programmed from themaster control. Connection of the yokes to the arms are seen at 320 and321.

Also provided is alignment means carried by the arms 110 and 111 fororienting the adjusted blades in precise alignment with one another, asduring blade movement into cutting engagement with opposite sides of thewire. In this regard, the lead means may advantageously include leads,such as pins for example, for pivoting the blade carriers 211 and 212relative toward one another in response to arm pivoting, in order tomaintain the flat, planar blades in perpendicular relation to axis 32,as the blades are moved oppositely toward the axis. See in this regardthe two pins 240 and 241 extending between the two carriers, and atopposite sides of the wire locus. Pin 240 may be carried at its upperend by the upper carrier 211 to extend downwardly and slide in a bore240a in carrier 212; and pin 241 may be carried at its lower end by thelower carrier 212 to extend upwardly, and slide in a bore 241a incarrier 211. This assures that the blades remain in planes normal to thewire axis, as the arms 110 and 111 pivot, for enhanced accuracy ofcutting position along the wire.

Each of the blades preferably has a V-shaped cutting edge or edges, asat 63a and 63b, and 64a and 64b. Those edges define apices, as at 63cand 64c, maintained in precise alignment as the blades close toward oneanother, such alignment assured by the structure and adjustmentsdescribed above. In this regard, the V-angles formed by the edges at aand B are the same, and may be about 90°.

FIG. 3 shows successive stages in blade V-edge cutting into an innerlayer of sheathing 20b, down to a circle or cylinder 20d defined by theinterface between sheathing layers 20b and 20e. Such cutting typicallyoccurs as the spindle assembly is rotated. No auxiliary wire guide meansor its guiding function, is needed near the blades to facilitate thedesired cutting, or severing, whereby simplicity is substantiallyenhanced, and risk of faulty guiding by such auxiliary guide means iseliminated.

Means is provided on the spindle to control the depth of cutting of theblades into the wire sheathing, as by control of movement of the blades,and their cutting edges 63a and 64a, toward one another, as the spindlerotates. Such means includes a cam, in the form of pusher 115 slidablymounted on the shaft 101 for axial movement relatively therealong, asvia rollers 116 and 117 between the arm inclined surfaces 118 and theouter surface of the shaft 101. A compression spring 122 between thescissor-like arms yieldably urges the surfaces 118 into engagement withthe rollers.

The pusher 115 is rotated by or with the shaft 101, as via a pin 127extending radially through an axial slot 101a' in the shaft. That pinalso serves to controllably displace the pusher endwise on the shaft, inresponse to endwise movement of rod 128 extending axially within a bore129 in the shaft 101 and protruding at 128a. The left end of that rod isshown in FIG. 7, as connected to the pin 127, and the right end of therod is connected by a support 130 with a nut 131. Support 130 does notrotate but allows rotation of rod 128 with the shaft 101, via bearing132. Nut 131 is threaded on a threaded shaft 133 controllably rotated bya step or gear motor 134, the housing of which is mounted at 135 to theplate 71.

Accordingly, the motor controls the axial position of the pusher 115,and thereby precisely controls pivoting movement of the blades towardone another, and the depth of their cut into the cable or wireinsulation, as the spindle rotates. Bearing 132 not only allows rotationof the rod 128 relative to the support 130, but also orients the link,axially. A connection 136 from the master control 19 to the motor 134serves to control the extent of rotation of the motor and thereby thedepth of penetration of the blades into the cable or wire sheath orinsulation. For example, an encoder on the motor, encoded via control19, controls the extent of motor rotor rotation (one revolution of themotor rotor may correspond to between 0.010 and 0.100 inch of bladetravel).

Referring to FIGS. 4a-4g, the blades are initially closed toward oneanother to provide a barrier to endwise movement of the cable or wire.The wire is then inserted through opening 21 until its end 20a engagesthe closed blades, the axial position of which is selected by operationof clamp means drive motor 55 and master control 19. See FIG. 4a. Atthis time the clamp means 24 is in a predetermined position, endwise.

The master control is then activated to initiate its cycling. Motor 44is activated to cause the clamp means 24 to clamp the wire. See FIG. 4b.Master controller 19 then operates motor 134 to cause the blades to open(retract); and controller 19 operates clamp carriage 16 to cause thecarriage to move axially to a selected position, i.e., to displace thewire axially to bring the wire end 20a to a selected distance d₁ fromthe blades 63 and 64, and corresponding to the length l₁ of insulationor sheathing to be removed. The spindle is then rotated by motor 105.Blade closing motor 134 is then operated by the controller to cause theblades to move inwardly a controlled amount to sever a selected radialthickness of sheathing or insulation, as the spindle rotates. See FIG.4c.

Motor 105 is then operated to stop the rotation of the spindle, and thecarriage travel motor 55 is then operated to reverse to retract theclamp means and wire causing the closed blades to pull the severedinsulation or sheathing 160 off the wire. See FIG. 4d. The clamp heads30 and 31 are then opened by motor 44, releasing the wire or cable forpull-out in direction 161. The elements are then returned to FIG. 4a.

Alternatively, the cycling of the master controller 19 may operate motor55 to cause the clamp means carriage 16 to move to a second selected(axial) position (as seen in FIG. 4e) to displace the wire axially andbring wire end 20a to a second selected distance d₂ from the blades 63and 64, and for allowing a second length l₂ of insulation to be removed.The spindle is then again rotated by motor 105, and blade closing motor134 operated by the controller to cause the blades to move radiallyinwardly a controlled amount to sever the second selected thickness andlength of insulation or sheathing, as the spindle rotates. See FIG. 4f.

Motor 105 is then operated to stop rotation of the spindle, and carriagetravel motor 55 operated in reverse to retract the clamp means 24 andheads 30 and 31, as well as the wire 20, to cause the closed blades topull the severed insulation or sheathing length l₂ off the wire, andwithout requiring any axial displacement of the blades. Insulation 162on the wire is thereby exposed. Thereafter, the clamp heads 30 and 31are opened by motor, releasing the wire or cable for pull-out indirection 161 in FIG. 4g. Stepwise removal of different insulationthickness is thereby achieved.

Sequentially, motor 44 is operated first at t₁, near the beginning ofthe cycle, to effect clamping. Next, at t₂ motors 134 and 105 areoperated, to open (retract) the blades and initiate spinning thereof.Motor 134 is turned off at t₃, the blades being open. At t₄, the clampcarriage motor 55 is turned on to position the wire, axially; and at t₅the motor is turned off. At t₆, the blade motor 134 is operatedreversely to move the spinning blades radially inwardly to commencecutting of the insulation, to selected depth. At t₇ and t₈, the motors134 and 105 are operated; blade spin motor 105 is reversely operated toquickly brake the spinning of the blades; and motor 134 partiallyretracts the blades (note the provision of a short time interval betweent₈ and t₉ during which motor 134 is reversed, and then turned OFF, withthe blades partially retracted, so as to remain in position to pullinsulation, i.e., sheathing, off the wire without scraping the wireextent not pulled off). At t₁₀, the clamp carriage motor 55 is operatedto displace the carriage axially, pulling the wire axially to remove thecut slug of insulation off the wire. At t₁₁, the blade spin motor 105,operated in reverse since t₈, is turned off. Finally, the clamp motor 44is operated reversely at t₁₂, and then turned off at t₁₃, freeing thewire for removal. In the above, controllably varying electric current issupplied to motor 134 to select torque level of such motor for enablingrotating blade cutting of wire insulation sections of differentthicknesses. A limit switch 325 in FIG. 6 is engaged by the carriagesupport 51 in extreme right position of the carriage 16.

A keyboard 19', associated with the microprocessor, enables selection ofdepth of cut by the blades and wire end positioning (determined bycarriage positioning) relative to a blade position.

In this way, insulation slugs of selected length and thickness can beremoved off the wire in a very simple manner without requiring any bladeaxial movement, and enabling precision relative adjustment of theindividual blades, both laterally and radially, as well as their quickremoval and replacement. As used herein, the word "blading" means one ormore blades.

I claim:
 1. In the method of stripping sheathing from wire atcontrollable depths, and wherein blades are operable to cut thesheathing, and a wire clamp is operable to clamp the wire duringcutting, the blades having a longitudinal axis of rotation, and therebeing blade aligners, the steps that include:a) operating the clamp toclamp the wire, and to longitudinally advance the clamped wire toposition the wire relative to the blades for cutting, whereby the wireis advanced to said position, the blades being maintained axiallystationary, b) advancing the blades relatively toward said wire forpositioning the blades to rotatably cut the sheathing, c) rotating theblades about the wire thereby rotatably cutting the sheathing, d)preventing rotation of the wire clamp about said axis during saidrotating of the blades and while the wire clamp is maintained axiallyspaced from the rotating blades, e) providing blade carriers for saidblades, f) and aligning the blades during advancement thereof toward thewire, by operation of said aligners.
 2. The method of claim 1 includingoperating the clamp to axially retract the wire relative to the bladesafter completion of said cutting.
 3. The method of claim 2 includingradially retracting the blades away from said axis after completion ofsaid cutting, and independently of the axial retracting of the wire bysaid clamp.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the blades includes twoV-shaped blades having apices, said advancing of the blades includingadvancing said two blades relatively toward one another whilemaintaining said apices in lateral alignment.
 5. The method of claim 1including providing arms carrying the blades, and including pivotingsaid arms to displace said blades relative to said aligners.
 6. Themethod of claim 5 including providing yokes on the arms, and bladecarriers pivotally carried by the yokes, and causing said carriers topivot relative to the yokes to thereby cause the blades to remain inplanes normal to the wire, as the blades are displaced relatively towardthe wire.
 7. The method of claim 6 including adjusting the position ofat least one blade relative to its carrier, in a direction toward oraway from said axis.
 8. The method of claim 6 including adjusting theposition of at least one blade relative to its carrier, and in a lateraldirection relative to said axis.
 9. The method of claim 5 includingproviding an arm pivot to enable the arm pivoting, and maintaining saidarm pivot in fixed axial position while the arms are pivoted, and alsowhile said clamp is operated to longitudinally advance the clamped wire.10. In the method of stripping sheathing from wire at controllabledepths, and wherein blades are operable to cut the sheathing and a wireclamp is operable to clamp the wire during cutting, the blades having alongitudinal axis of rotation, and there being blade aligners, the stepsthat include:a) operating the clamp to clamp the wire, and tolongitudinally advance the clamped wire to position the wire relative tothe blades for cutting, whereby the wire is advanced to said position,the blades being maintained axially stationary, b) advancing the bladesrelatively toward said wire for positioning the blades to rotatably cutthe sheathing, c) relatively rotating the blades about the wire therebyrotatably cutting the sheathing, d) the wire clamp being operated duringthe relative rotating of the blades and while the wire clamp ismaintained axially spaced from the rotating blades, e) providing bladecarriers for said blades, f) and aligning the blades during advancementthereof toward the wire, by operation of said aligners.
 11. The methodof claim 10 including operating the clamp to axially retract the wirerelative to the blades after completion of said cutting.
 12. The methodof claim 11 including radially retracting the blades away from said axisafter completion of said cutting, and independently of the axialretracting of the wire by said clamp.
 13. The method of claim 10 whereinthe blades include two V-shaped blades having apices, said advancing ofthe blades including advancing said two blades relatively toward oneanother while maintaining said apices in lateral alignment.
 14. Themethod of claim 10 including providing arms carrying the blades, andincluding pivoting said arms to displace said blades relative to saidaligners.
 15. The method of claim 14 and including providing yokes onthe arms, and blade carriers pivotally carried by the yokes, and causingsaid carriers to pivot relative to the yokes to thereby cause the bladesto remain in planes normal to the wire, as the blades are displacedrelative to the wire.
 16. The method of claim 15 including adjusting theposition of at least one blade relative to its carrier, in a directiontoward or away from said axis.
 17. The method of claim 15 includingadjusting the position of at least one blade relative to its carrier,and in a lateral direction relative to said axis.
 18. The method ofclaim 14 including providing an arm pivot to enable the arm pivoting,and maintaining said arm pivot in fixed axial position while the armsare pivoted, and also while said clamp is operated to longitudinallyadvance the clamped wire.
 19. In the method of stripping sheathing fromwire at controllable depths, and wherein blades are operable to cut thesheathing, and a wire clamp is operable to clamp the wire duringcutting, the blades having a longitudinal axis of rotation, and therebeing blade aligners, the steps that include:a) operating the clamp toclamp the wire, b) advancing the blades relatively toward said wire forpositioning the blades to rotatably cut the sheathing, c) rotating theblades about the wire, thereby rotatably cutting the sheathing, d)preventing rotation of the wire clamp about said axis during saidrotating of the blades and while the wire clamp is maintained axiallyspaced from the rotating blades, e) the blades having V-shaped edges,and including aligning the blades during advancement thereof toward saidwire by operation of said aligners, and there being arms carrying theblades, and including pivoting said arms to displace said bladesrelative to said aligners.
 20. The method of claim 19 including causingsaid V-shaped edges to cut into the wire sheathing to pre-programmeddepths during said rotating of the blades.
 21. The method of claim 19including causing said V-shaped edges to cut into the wire sheathing totwo different pre-programmed depths during said rotating of the blades.22. In the method of stripping sheathing from wire at controllabledepths, and wherein blading is operable to cut the sheathing and a wireclamp is operable to clamp the wire during cutting, the blading having alongitudinal axis of rotation, and there being blading alignerstructure, the steps that include:a) operating the clamp to clamp thewire, and to longitudinally advance the clamped wire to position thewire relative to the blading for cutting, whereby the wire is advancedto said position, the blading being maintained axially stationary, b)advancing the blading relatively toward said wire for positioning theblading to rotatably cut the sheathing, c) rotating the blading aboutthe wire thereby rotatably cutting the sheathing, d) preventing rotationof the wire clamp about said axis during said rotating of the bladingand while the wire clamp is maintained axially spaced from the rotatingblading, e) providing carrier structure for said blading, f) andaligning said blading during advancement thereof toward the wire, byoperation of said aligner structure.
 23. The method of claim 22including operating the clamp to axially retract the wire relative tothe blading after completion of said cutting.
 24. The method of claim 23including radially retracting the blading away from said axis aftercompletion of said cutting, and independently of the axial retracting ofthe wire by said clamp.
 25. The method of claim 22 wherein the bladingincludes two V-shaped blades having apices, said advancing of theblading including advancing said two blades relatively toward oneanother while maintaining said apices in lateral alignment.
 26. Themethod of claim 22 wherein said blading includes blades, the alignerstructure including blade aligners rotatable with the blades, and armscarrying the blades, and including pivoting said arms to displace saidblades relative to said aligners.
 27. The method of claim 26 includingproviding yokes on the arms, and the blade carrier structure includingblade carriers pivotally carried by the yokes, and causing said carriersto pivot relative to the yokes to thereby cause the blades to remain inplanes normal to the wire, as the blades are displaced relative to thewire.
 28. The method of claim 27 including adjusting the position of atleast one blade relative to its carrier, in a direction toward or awayfrom said axis.
 29. The method of claim 27 including adjusting theposition of at least one blade relative to its carrier, and in a lateraldirection relative to said axis.
 30. The method of claim 26 includingproviding an arm pivot to enable the arm pivoting, and maintaining saidarm pivot in fixed axial position while the arms are pivoted, and alsowhile said clamp is operated to longitudinally advance the clamped wire.31. In the method of stripping sheathing from wire at controllabledepths, and wherein blading is operable to cut the sheathing and a wireclamp is operable to clamp the wire during cutting, the blading having alongitudinal axis of rotation, and there being blading alignerstructure, the steps that include:a) operating the clamp to clamp thewire, and to longitudinally advance the clamped wire to position thewire relative to the blading for cutting, whereby the wire is advancedto said position, the blading being maintained axially stationary, b)advancing the blading relatively toward said wire for positioning theblading to rotatably cut the sheathing, c) relatively rotating theblading about the wire thereby rotatably cutting the sheathing, d) thewire clamp being operated during the relative rotating of the bladingand while the wire clamp is maintained axially spaced from the rotatingblading, e) the blading including blades, and providing blade carriersfor said blades, f) and aligning the blades during advancement thereoftoward the wire, by operation of said aligner structure.
 32. The methodof claim 31 including operating the clamp to axially retract the wirerelative to the blading after completion of said cutting.
 33. The methodof claim 32 including radially retracting the blading away from saidaxis after completion of said cutting, and independently of the axialretracting of the wire by said clamp.
 34. The method of claim 31 whereinthe blading includes two V-shaped blades having apices, said advancingof the blading including advancing said two blades relatively toward oneanother while maintaining said apices in lateral alignment.
 35. Themethod of claim 31 wherein the blading includes two blades, the alignerstructure including blade aligners rotatable with the two blades, andarms carrying the blades, and including pivoting said arms to displacesaid blades relative to said aligners.
 36. The method of claim 35including providing an arm pivot to enable said arm pivoting, andmaintaining said arm pivot in fixed axial position while the arms arepivoted, and also while said clamp is operated to longitudinally advancethe clamped wire.
 37. The method of claim 31 including providing armscarrying the two blades and yokes on the arms, the blade carrierspivotally carried by the yokes, and causing said carriers to pivotrelative to the yokes to thereby cause the blades to remain in planesnormal to the wire, as the blades are displaced relative to the wire.38. The method of claim 37 including adjusting the position of at leastone blade relative to its carrier, in a direction toward or away fromsaid axis.
 39. The method of claim 37 including adjusting the positionof at least one blade relative to its carrier, and in a lateraldirection relative to said axis.
 40. The method of stripping sheathingfrom wire at controllable depths, and wherein blading is operable to cutthe sheathing and a wire clamp is operable to clamp the wire duringcutting, the blading having a longitudinal axis of rotation, and therebeing blade aligner structure, the steps that include:a) operating theclamp to clamp the wire, b) advancing the blading relatively toward saidwire for positioning the blading to rotatably cut the sheathing, c)rotating the blading about the wire, thereby rotatably cutting thesheathing, d) preventing rotation of the wire clamp about said axisduring said rotating of the blading and while the wire clamp ismaintained axially spaced from the rotating blading, e) the bladingincluding blades having V-shaped edges, and arms carrying the blades,and including pivoting said arms to displace said blades relative tosaid aligners, f) providing blade carriers for said blades, g) andaligning the blades during advancement thereof toward the wire, byoperation of said aligners.
 41. The method of claim 40 including causingsaid V-shaped edges to cut into the wire sheathing to pre-programmeddepths during said rotating of the blading.
 42. The method of claim 41including causing said V-shaped edges to cut into the wire sheathing totwo different pre-programmed depths during said rotating of the blading.